Is Connected

INTRO: Are we there yet? Parents with infants who won’t sleep and diapers, couples with tight budgets trying to meet the needs and stretch the paycheck as far as it goes, teens are always saying it but soon about school, maybe you or someone you love has been dealing with health problems — and in all these and more scenarios we’re asking “are we there yet?” We’re anxious and unhappy with where we’re at, not wanting to be right here, “why do we have to be right here dealing with this right now” — we’re in a hurry to get to the next stage and sometimes impatient…

But at whatever stage that you’re at and things you’re dealing with right now, take a moment and ask “what do I need to be doing while I’m right here and until I get “there”?”

What does the present need from me. As the Church, we need to understand what we’re here for so that we can understand what to do here until we get there.

1.) The Church’s 3-Fold Mission

Glorify God

Ephesians 3:21 “to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

This is PRIMARY, of first importance to our existence! Everything we do flows from glorifying God, how healthy we are and how well we do things flows how well we are aimed at doing that.

Glory isn’t something we give God because He is in need of it or lacking it. It’s what we recognize and reflect back to Him through our obedience and worship. This is not just a gathering of people, the Church is a display case for God’s glory to be seen by the world! It's about leaving an accurate portrait or impression of God that gives Him His righteous due.

So where is the emphasis? Where is the spotlight?

Illustration: Think about a spotlight operator in a stage play. No one ever notices them unless the spotlight is in the wrong place. But when the spotlight is right, you don’t think about the person holding it—you see the star of the show. That’s our job as a church—to keep the spotlight always on Jesus. If people leave thinking how great we are, we’ve failed. If they leave thinking how great God is, we’ve succeeded.

Where are we pointing the spotlight? Where is the emphasis of your life?

Spread The Gospel

Ephesians 3:10 “so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”

God could have chosen any method to spread the good news—but He chose the Church. He didn’t entrust the angels, or write it in the sky—He gave us the mission to carry the life-changing message of Jesus to the world.

I’m going to be emphasizing this repeatedly during this series. If I see the importance as God wants me to, I’m not going to be hindered by my worry of being embaressed to try to evangelize. Instead I’ll be thrusted forward on the mission Christ sent me on because I want to love what He loves! When the Church fulfills it’s purpose, Paul said Heaven and earth take notice, those in the physical world but also the spiritual realm too — because what we do is profoundly spiritual! We’re fighting spiritual battles, we’re fighting a spiritual enemy, we have a Savior from the spiritual realm outside time and space — but we get too caught up worried about the physical and the uncomfortable.

It matters to a Church’s spiritual health. A healthy church isn't just focused inward—it’s always looking outward. If we lose our evangelistic spirit, we’re like a lighthouse that stops shining in the middle of a storm.

Minister To One Another, A Mission For Christians

“One another” - over 50 NT verses. That alone should emphasize to us that we are meant to have a special connection, we have a special bond in Christ! And it comes with responsibility to those we’re connected with.

(PPT) Verses such as…

Hebrews 10:24–25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

1 Peter 4:10 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:”

Romans 12:10 “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

It’s easy to think the most meaningful stuff happens on Sundays during the service. But what really shapes a church is what we do for one another on Mondays (and the other days too).

You have a role in someone else’s walk with Christ. Their strength, faith, and endurance might be directly tied to your willingness to serve and love.

2.) CONNECTED Through Ministry For One Another

(PPT) 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 9-10

Love = doing for someone what they NEED.

Excel still more!!

Getting started can be hard, in fact it could be the most difficult part of anything. BUT, once you’re going you can keep going easier. The more momentum you have, the harder you are to stop!

How well do you do at anything to do with “one another” in the Church? Is the only “one another” action you have simply showing up to sit with “one another” at assembly times?

Love the church enough to work for its continued growth!

(PPT) 1 John 3:16-18

“Sometimes I need a break! I need the blessing!” And it’s true, but that doesn’t mean you stop either.

In these verses are a huge act of faith - if you love others you keep laying down your life for others even when you’re tired and you feel done and you’re saying “are we there yet?!”

The faith involved is you sacrificing yourself for others it will end up being a greater blessing to you!!

Acts 20:35 “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

(PPT) Loving the church means working for, sacrificing for, and struggling for its growth, not just enjoying its benefits. That includes emotional, spiritual, and practical investment in people—not just programs.

Church isn’t meant to be a cruise ship, where we’re catered to—it’s a rescue vessel, where everyone on board has a role in the mission.

What Does Ministry to One Another Look Like?

Consistency even when you’re tired. You may say, “I’m worn out. I need a break.” And yes—rest matters. But Biblical love doesn't vanish when we’re tired. Jesus laid down His life while being completely poured out. You don't wait until you’re full to love others—loving others is one way God refills you.

Serving when its hard and cost you. There is deep faith in continuing to serve when it feels hard—that faithful action is the fruit that you understand that God sees, that your sacrifice matters, and it’s of great importance to the Church.

Mutual commitment—not one-sided. You may be giving more in one season than another. But over time, a healthy church culture ensures that everyone experiences both the giving and receiving of care.

Ask yourself this:

Do I love my church family enough to serve when it's inconvenient?

Who has God put in my path this week for me to do for them what Jesus would?

Do I stay on the sidelines, hoping someone else will handle it so I don’t have to? IT MAY BE THAT THE REASON YOU OUGHT TO ACT IS BECAUSE YOU’RE THE ONE SEEING THE NEED

Don’t just “go to church” — go to work in the church. And some might think “I work all week, the last thing I need is more to do!” — I would remind you of a greater purpose. You work to afford living and it’s luxeries. But here, we work for far more important purpose — that purpose is you working to do everything you can to make sure the person sitting in a nearby pew makes it to heaven. You can’t deny that purpose and also deny selfishness. We’ve got to RE-PRIORITIZE our goals and purpose of life, otherwise we will be an unhealthy Church.

1 Thessalonians 2:19–20 “For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.”

God has placed you in this body to do something that someone else needs. And someone else is doing something you need too. That’s how the body grows and stays healthy.

3.) CONNECTED To Jesus As Individuals

We see that we’re called to love one another. But our connection to one another is dependent on how connected we are to Jesus. Our connection to Christ shapes our actions towards one another, including the lack of as well.

(PPT) John 15:4 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”

(PPT) Connection and deeper fellowship isn’t the aim, it’s the FRUIT! The aim is a life centered on Jesus, and if mine is, then this will be part of the fruit!

Illustration: Have you ever heard that life is like a merry go round? Anyone else actually been on one before? I don’t see them at all these days. The faster it goes, the harder it is to hold on and get your bearings. But you know the secret to surviving the merry go round? It’s at the center. You want to move to the center of it where the force of spinning is a lot less and it’s easier to hang on…What’s your center? Life is crazy, it moves so fast for most of us and uncontrollable certainly for everyone. If your center is the things of the world, you will be thrown and are in danger of hurt.

But if Christ is your center, and you actively remember to stay centered, to stay abiding in Him, you can handle the merry go round, you can handle the ridiculous pace of the world — but you’ve got to make sure that being centered is a top priority, that He’s what gets the most of your time or effort — that’s the only way Christ is the center.

Your spiritual life depends on that! Your spouses spiritual will be affected by it, your kids, your friends, and each one of us in the Church!

I NEED brothers and sisters who are abiding in Christ so that I can be helped in my following of Christ!

That’s not just a nice idea—it’s a spiritual reality. My connection to Jesus strengthens your connection to Jesus, and vice versa. We weren’t designed to walk with Christ alone. When I abide in Christ, you benefit. When you abide in Christ, I’m encouraged, convicted, and challenged.

That’s the beauty of the body of Christ. We are interdependent, not independent. If the vine is Christ, and we are the branches, then we are all drawing life from the same source — which means that fruit of connection and fellowship will naturally grow among us!

We often focus on our personal walk with Jesus—and rightly so—but we forget: your personal walk impacts the entire body.

If you drift, others are affected.

If you grow, others are encouraged.

If you compromise, others might stumble.

If you serve and stay faithful, others may find strength to keep going.

This is especially true in crisis. When life hits, you don’t need church acquaintances—you need spiritually rooted companions. People who are already abiding in Christ so they can hold you up when you can’t hold yourself up.

Somebody here needs YOU to be spiritually centered in Christ.

We were never meant to “GO to Church”, we’re meant to connect deeply with it!

A healthy church isn’t like arriving at a destination on a map. It’s like walking the road together—each step grounded in Christ and each step drawing us closer to one another. That’s how we make progress, not by asking “Are we there yet?” but by walking faithfully right here.